Sant Antoni in ArtÓ

Sant Antoni in ArtÓ: Foto 13

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The fiestas for Sant Antoni, patron saint for farm animals, are held around January 17 in a great number of towns of the island. The fiestas for Sant Antoni in ArtÓ are one of the best known for their popular and traditional character. They are organised by the Obreria de Sant Antoni, an institution formed by two representatives of the town and one from the church, and they strictly preserve the traditional protocol.

Each year, on January 16, at 8 a.m. the "Berenar" starts, with chocolate and ensaimadas in the house of one of the members of the Obreria ("casa d'es trull"). Afterwards, the musicians, who have drunk some muscatel and "mesclat" start the street parade all round the town, accompanied by devils, symbols of evil and human temptation. At 7 p.m., in the church, fragments from the life of the saint are read and "Lo Elogi" is sung. Finally, in the evening, round the bonfires, the singers animate the evening with popular songs "glosses", many of which have a clearly erotic and smutty content. Everything is licit in this night of fire and devils!

The following day, January 17, the day of Sant Antoni, the procession is held with the traditional animal blessing and, after a solemn massa, again in the "casa d'es trull", the "Argument" is read, a satirical composition recited by a "glossador" who summarises the principal events of the previous year.